Job for Dowie but not for Parky

This is not an April fool joke: it looks as if Iain Dowie is going to be the new Bury manager: Dowie

It may be that he has found his level.

The vacancy at Bury because their manager has been hired at Scunthorpe. Phil Parkinson was one of those short listed for the job.

Scunny in for Parky

Phil Parkinson's spell without a job may be coming to end after he was short listed for the managerial vacancy at Scunthorpe. His main rival is Danny Wilson who recently left Swindon. Less favoured short listed candidates are Kilmarnock's Mixu Paatelainen and Bury's Alan Knill.

Parkinson is thought to have already been interviewed. It will be difficult for Scunny to avoid relegation with visits to Norwich and QPR coming up. However, if the club is relegated, Parkinson with his 'impressive' record in League 1 is thought to be the man to lead the yo-yo club straight back up again. [What are they on in Scunthorpe?]

So it could be a return to The Valley for Phil Parkinson next year.

Former Addicks give their view on Cherries

Phil Parkinson gives his assessment of the Cherries: Parky

Interesting that a Cherries fan thinks in the comments that Charlton could make a late run for the play offs from the chasing pack. If only.

Working class hero Steve Jones who played for both clubs also give his views: Jones

Sir Chris's latest interview

Chris Powell has given a number of interviews in recent days and to some extent they have covered the same themes, such as the fact that he didn't apply for the job and thought he had just an outside chance. However, it is worth giving a few quotes from yesterday's double page spread in the Football League Paper.

'I know the fans remember me fondly as a player,' said Chris. 'But, of course, if you don't cut it as a manager, they'll let you know about it. I fully realise that all the hard work as a player could be gone if things don't go to plan. In some ways it's a bit of a spur - I want to keep that link with the fans going because I've had some wonderful times here.'

Chris said that he had exchanged mesages with Phil Parkinson, but had not been able to speak to him yet but hoped to do so: 'He's a good man and I hope he's back in football soon.'

He revealed that he had said to all the players, '"You have a chance with me". If they impress me and show the right attitude, then no problem. If a young player can add something to us, he'll be in the team.'

Chris is midway through a course in football management, but whether this is the certificate offered by Warwick Business School and taken by Peter Shirtliff is unclear. (For more details see: Certificate

Powell and Charlton face a tough test next Saturday when they are away to Rochdale, currently first in the form table.

Charlton negativity?

An interesting range of reactions, but some of the famous Charlton negativity and pessimism already surfacing. All fans are negative about their own clubs to some extent, but it was the Sporting Post that once observed that the Addickted were especially so.

That might be a rational reaction to the club's history: only one major trophy and that in the year I was born. Personally I always blame Hitler because I think if we had continued to develop in the 1940s we might well have won the league.

The feeling of solidarity engendered by the return to The Valley campaign overcame this negativity for a while and I think this persisted as we consolidated in the second tier, developed the ground and then, on the day of all days, got promoted at Wembley. We came back down again, but no one blamed Curbs or the team for that given our resources and we were champions the following year and established ourselves in the Premiership.

After a few seasons, the negativity started to creep in. People deny it now, but there were complaints about mid-table mediocrity and Curbs not being able to take us to the next level, whatever that was for a club the size of Charlton.

I enjoyed being in the Premiership because I liked seeing the so-called top players for myself. One was able to see Shearer administer the elbow and get away with it or have his card rescinded. We won some enjoyable victories against Arsenal, Chelsea and Livepool, unfortunately not United, but Fergie always respected Curbs and The Valley which he said was a difficult ground to play at.

I would be happy with us getting back to the Championship and consolidating there in the medium-term. I think that the new owners have the determination and the means to do that.

I supported Parky while he was manager. I thought he had a difficult inheritance and very few resources to cope with it. In the circumstances he did a decent job. My information was that the club was very close to the brink financially. Not only would have paying off Parky been financially testing, we couldn't afford anyone better.

We suffered three bad home defeats. The one against Brighton was really their victory rather than our loss. The one against Walsall could be written off as a bad day at the office, you always get one every season. But I think that the Swindon loss indicated that something was fundamentally wrong. As the New York Addick pointed out, our position in the table masked the problems we faced. For once the form table was the one to pay attention to.

I think that Parky made poor tactical decisions, possibly he started to panic as things went wrong and he saw his job on the line. In any event the board did not like what they saw and noted the reactions of fans. They want to increase the gate and appointing Chris Powell is one way of doing that. I do not think that before the Swindon game that they have decided to sack Parky or they would have had a successor lined up.

This post is already too long so I will write about Chris Powell later in the day. For now, welcome back Chris, I am sure people will set their reservations to one side and get behind you at The Valley. But please insist on some new signings because in my view the problem has been the team at least as much as the manager.

Nicky Forster attacks new Valley regime

Whether Nicky Forster thinks his short stay at The Valley gives him a licence to attack the Charlton board is a matter for debate. But under the byline 'Brentford striker's viewpoint', which certainly gives him cred, he launches into the new regime at Charlton in The Football League Paper.

However, apparently Phil Parkinson is a good friend of his. He states, 'This week has seen the departure of good friend and former manager Phil Parkinson from Charlton Athletic after two years in charge. With them fifth in the table and only onw win off the automatic place the decision seems baffling to say the least.'

Well, as the New York Addick has pointed out, if we kept on losing home matches we should be able to win it wouldn't be long before we were in a relegation battle. We are nine points behind Brighton, but just eight ahead of Tranmere in 20th place.

Forster continues, 'It was particularly fickle to see the new owners celebrating and preening themselves after Charlton took the lead against Swindon, apparently satsified with all, only to deem Parky's position untenable some 60 minutes later.'

I don't see why the new owners shouldn't celebrate us taking the lead. Admittedly, doubts have been expressed about whether they had already decided they wanted Parky to go. Equally, after seeing the performance against Swindon and our recent record, it wasn't unreasonable for the new regime to want a clean sweep.

BTW, I have no financial interest in The Football League Paper but I do think it is good value and it can now be bought more cheaply online. Even if you don't want to subscribe, they have some interesting tweets.

Why the board made the right decision

Phil Parkinson inherited a difficult hand from Alan Pardew. He has had very little money to play with, although arguably the cash signings he made were not good enough. His performance was not disastrous, but it was not good enough for a team that wanted to return to the Championship. At best we would have got another play off place this season.

I know there are those who argue that he should have been given a chance to see what he could do with some money and that's a reasonable view to take. But I'm not sure it's a luxury we can afford. We need to re-build the crowds as the new owners have made clear.

Parkinson is a decent and approachable man. I am sure that there will be another management job for him in football before very long. Thanks, Phil, for all you tried to do.

For me the tipping point was the Swindon match. I have never believed in reading results off the table, particularly in such a fluid division and any team can have a freak bad result at home. After we went down 1-6 at home to Leeds, fans did the conga and no one called for Curbishley to go (other than the Bloke Behind Me).

The decision-making against Swindon was poor: the wrong formation to start with (indeed it wasn't even quite clear what the formation was) and a poor decision to take off Fortune. What struck me above all listening to the commentary was the negativity of the crowd and how quickly they turned on the team. The Parky issue was becoming a drag on the club and any new manager will be given some time to sort things out before the moaning starts again.

Whoever the new manager is, there has to be some spending. Part of the problem is mediocre players or players who are now starting to deteriorate: would Dailly have made the mistake he did against Swindon last season? We badly need a new central defender and it would be nice to have a reliable striker who can find the back of the net. Austin comes to mind.

In an ideal world I would like local lad Chris Hughton as the new manager. But that isn't going to happen. As for Dennis Wise, on whom the bookies stopped taking bets last night, I remember seeing him come on as a sub when we were playing at Chelsea (I was privileged to be next to the Rickster that day) and I shouted 'Taxi!' to salute the taxi drivers' friend.

I don't think Wise is very 'Charlton' and I'm not even sure that he's a good manager (there was an element of luck in getting Millwall to the FA cup final), although I think he's better than Gareth Southgate or that Welsh windbag Chris Coleman. However, at the end of the day he would be judged by results. If he got us promoted, all would be forgiven.

Incidentally, I don't take the talk about Poyet seriously. It would cost a lot to buy him out of his contract, money better spent on players, and why should he leave a team that looks very likely to be promoted and will have a new stadium to play in next season?

The board has shown that it can be decisive and that is what is needed. Arguably we had become a bit too nice. At the end of the day I do not support the board or a particular manager (even though I regard the eras of Jimmy Seed and Alan Curbishley as golden ones). I support the club and my hope is that confidence will now be restored among the fans and the teams and we can move forward.

Parky sacked

Reports are circulating that Phil Parkinson has been sacked: Parky These have now been confirmed by the official club site.

All the backroom staff have gone (it is best to have a clean out in these circumstances). The name of Dennis Wise has been widely mentioned as a possible replacement. Onw would hope that the new owners have someone in mind as we don't want a repeat of the post-Curbishley fiasco which did lasting damage to the club.

Dennis Wise is favourite with the bookies st 2-1; Gareth Southgate and Chris Coleman are both 6-1; Iain Dowie and Kevin Blackwell are 8-1; and Alan Curbishley is 16-1 (Curbs would never come back in my view and I don't think it would be right for him and the club.

Let's hope that any new manager has sufficient funds to replace some of the mediocre players. They are a good part of the problem. However, poor decision-making was evident last night in the initial formation and the substitutions. The new owners want to see the club in the Championship, as all fans do, and they feel that a fresh start is the best way to achieve that. They have been prepared to act decisively.

Keith Peacock has been appointed temporary manager which should steady the ship with Damian Matthews as his assistant.

The King is dead. Long live the King!

Parky to meet owners after 2-4 defeat

Swindon had an early corner cleared by Fortune and the follow up corner was cleared by Francis. Charlton made some good efforts in the opening phase, reports Philippa Nicholson. Swindon were playing a 4-5-1 formation while Benson was up front for the Addicks. Reid put in a good early cross which Benson connected with well.

However, then Swindon came into the game more, but there was no one to connect with a Swindon cross. Charlton were trying to pass and play, but Swindon were also probing.

Martin approached on the right, but the offside flag went up. McCormack tried to advance, but Swindon came away with ball and won a thrown in level with the Charlton penalty area. Elliot saved well with his foot. The first quarter of an hour was evenly balanced with both sides trying to get on top of the midfield battle.

O’Brien got in behind Francis who had to concede a corner. Morrison had a free header but did not get enough on it. A header from Austin went wide. Racon fed Reid who put in a dangerous cross and Jackson’s follow up deflected off a Swindon player to put the Addicks 1-0 ahead. The Swindon players were furious claiming a hand ball from Benson in the build up. It was a hand ball, but sometimes the luck goes your way. The new chairman punched the air.

Reid kept skidding over which raised questions about the studs on his designer boots. Jackson made a good run, but it was unproductive. Racon advanced on the right, but Swindon were able to clear their lines. Reid got past two players but was body checked by Morrison leaving both players down. Reid was given a yellow card.

Fortune had to head out a Swindon free kick. Dailly fed Martin who tried to use his pace, the move ending in a Charlton throw in. Swindon counter attacked, but the Addicks got their players back. A dangerous ball from Ritchie was dealt with by Jackson.

The referee missed another hand ball. Charlton attacked again on the right but Smith in the Swindon goal was able to claim the ball. A quickly taken free kick led to a shot by Ritchie which Elliot palmed over the goal. The corner led to a second one, but McCormack was able to take the ball away.

Rose advanced 60 yards with the ball at his feet but Austin was not able to convert nor could Prutton get on the end of it. That was Swindon’s best chance to equalise up to then.

Charlton were pushed back too deep, Elliot dealt with the cross from the left but then the rebound fell to Pompey loanee Ritchie who was able to put the ball in the back of the net from four yards out to make it 1-1 in front of the Swindon fans in the Jimmy Seed.

Swindon took a corner short. Semedo cut it out and Martin almost got a touch whose pressure led to a Charlton corner. It was well worked and Benson got into space but Smith gathered well low down.

Half time: Addicks 1, Robins 1

Austin sent a shot in but it was straight to Elliot. Charlton broke away but McCormack was not able to take advantage. Martin flicked the ball off Rose to win a corner. The corner by Francis was headed away.

Francis gave a terrible ball away leading to groans from the Addickted. Racon almost got round the defender and keeper but ex Spanner Smith dived on the ball. Dailly defended poorly on the edge of the box, Austin stole in and put the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-2 leaving Elliot with no chance. It was a late seasonal present for the former non-league striker.

O’Brien beat Francis who was exposed by his opponent’s pace but fortunately Elliot was able to gather off Austin. Charlton made a double substitution with Martin and McCormack going off and Abbott and Wagstaff coming on.

Prutton put in an effort from 25 yards out as the gaps opened up. Wagstaff showed a nice touch and Benson attempted to get a shot away but Frampton was able to block. Ritchie advanced but his shot deflected off Dailly for a throw in.
O’Brien was taken off and replaced by McGovern. Swindon were packing their own half, while Charlton were relying on the long ball. There was not enough movement from the Charlton players. The frustration of the Addickted was growing.

Charlton won a corner but it was headed away by Morison. Reid fed the ball back in, but Abbott was too close to the keeper. Charlton made their final substitution with Sodje coming on in place of Fortune. The Addicks seemed to be gambling on three at the back, but with Semedo in front of Dailly. It was a desperate gamble and so it proved.

Abbott gave the ball away and Swindon broke but the flag was raised against Austin. Charlton advanced but Abbott was not able to get a shot away. Cuthbert came on in place of Timlin.

The free kick came in and the 6ft 4 ins. Morison put in a towering header to make it 3-1 - straight past Elliot into the corner. The Addickted start to stream out of the ground. I felt tempted to join them, but duty called.

Swindon won another corner. It became a rout as Austin came in at the back post to make it 4-1. There was a chance at the other end but Benson was not able to take advantage. Reid got a cross in and won a corner. Benson’s header was wide. A volley from Sodje was cleared off the line. Desailly replaced Austin who applauded the away fans whilst no doubt thinking of his future in the Championship.

A corner from Francis was headed away. A great finish by Abbott who turned and put in a super volley over the keeper that saw the ball go into the right-hand corner to make it 2-4.

A corner from Francis was headed out by Cuthbert. Jackson hammered the ball into the visiting fans.

Phil Parkinson was to meet the new owners after the game. That will be an interesting conversation. Whoever is manager they need to be given money for new players, especially in central defence.

The rumour mill

Rumours are circulating that Preston North End are interested in Phil Parkinson. It would be an odd move to a club mired in a relegation struggle with Sir Alex Ferguson having recalled his loan players in a fit of temper at his son's dismissal.

Parky wants a takeover for Christmas

Phil Parkinson wants a takeover at The Valley as his Christmas present: Parkinson

Described as one of the best managers outside the top flight [shurely the manager fans want to see go - ed] Parky reveals that he models his approach on that of Alan Curbishley.

Where does Parky stand on Wittgenstein?

This is not a question I have heard asked of the manager at a post-match briefing. But it was provoked by a contribution to the Glynne Jones list in which the writer argued that Parky's problem was not one of resource constraints, but his philosophy.

This reminded me of the famous Monty Python sketch Python in which the German philosophers play the Greeks, refereed by Confucius. They spend almost all the 90 minutes contemplating the ball or engaging in dialectical exchanges. Then, just as the whistle is about to blown, Archimedes has a 'Eureka!' moment and sets up Socrates who guides the ball into the back of the net, although Marx claimed it was offside.

I don't see Parky as following any of the continental philosophers. It would have to someone from England which rules out David Hume who might otherwise be a candidate but played for Scotland. Thomas Hobbes would have been a great central defender (he was reputedly 6ft. 5 ins.) and had the temper to go with it. Locke I see as an egg chaser. John Stuart Mill I see as a repressed version of Pardew, with an eye for an attractive woman but slow to make his move.

I think that the clear winner is Jeremy Bentham. Parky is by necessity pretty much a utilitarian (a stance satirised by Dickens in his portrait of Mr Gradgrind). I can see him as being very big on 'the facts'. Admittedly, Bentham had some Dowie-like ideas which included having himself stuffed and put in a glass case. You can see him from time to time at Universiy College London where I set up my desk in the capital next week.

Bentham did, however, believe in the greatest happiness of the greatest number. Attendances are down at The Valley and those who are there are not very happy much of the time so it may be that Parky is not maximising their utility.

One fan has written in to comment, 'Given the hullabaloo over the last few days...... Foucault?? Mind you, I'm always in favour of nice, simple approaches, so I'd recommend Macchiavelli (if only he'd written a manual for good football management, along the lines of The Prince).'

Takeover imminent?

Rumours are circulating that a takeover of Charlton Athletic may be completed within 24 hours. Dennis Wise is rumoured to be involved. The less generous might argue that the taxi drivers' friend could fit the description of being 'a bit dodgy' which was said by a source on Sunday to apply to one of the consortium.

If the deal does go ahead it will be interesting to see whether Parky gets the vote of confidence or the new owners do a Sam Allardyce and get rid of him in the cause of 'entertaining' and 'interesting' football.

Luton reflections

I was only able to listen on line, although I have read Paul May's report. Fortunately, we were spared Emma so perhaps some of the complaints have had an effect. We also had Steve Brown as summariser. His praise for the Hatters in the first half was unstinting, but he also shrewdly said after the break that Waggie's equaliser was crucial and we would now go on to win.

Steve also said (and he probably still has good contacts inside the club) that if the Peter Varney-led takeover did not go ahead, the club would have to go into administration. That would mean a 10 point deduction and the effective end of our promotion hopes.

No doubt we shall hear plenty of complaints about how poor Charlton were. I don't mind how poor we are as long as we win.

I also think that Phil 'must go' Parkinson actually had a strategy which he executed. Luton are an all out attacking side and they then leave themselves exposed at the back. In the first half we tried to absorb their pressure. Admittedly, the midfield was not linking up well with either attack or defence, but that was rectified at the break. Our equaliser came because the Hatters had too many players committed in attack.

The money from the Spurs game will be very welcome. I am sure we are going to lose 3-0 or 4-1. Some Premiership clubs might put out a weakened side against us, but I think that 'Arry won't take many risks.

Two Addicks in for awards

Phil 'he's got to go' Parkinson has been nominated for the npower League One Manager of the Month award, while Johnnie Jackson is on a short list of three for Player of the Month.

Jackson has come in for a lot of criticism since his return to The Valley and at one time his signing was being cited as another poor decision by Parky. Admittedly, he is better playing further forward than at left back where Fry is more solid. What Jackson is able to do is to run on to a scoring opportunity from midfield.

Unfortunately, the Manager of the Month award often leads to a downward turn in a side's fortunes.

Happy birthday

It's Phil Parkinson's 43rd birthday. He's much criticised by many Charlton fans, but I think he is doing a decent job given the budgetary constraints he has faced. Not all of his decisions have been the right ones, but even Sir Alex and Arsene Wenger make mistakes and they have much more money to play with.

I expect it will be another day at the training ground for Phil. (Since writing this, I have learnt that the training ground closed early because of the weather conditions so that is an unexpected bonus for PP).

Curbs used to like good quality champagne, but probably PP's tastes are more modest.

Carlisle defeat could seal Parky's fate

The Carlisle evening newspaper is arguing that a defeat for Charlton on Saturday could seal Parky's fate: Parky

Of course from a psychological point of view this puts greater pressure on Charlton, but it could encourage them to raise their game, given that there is no evidence that Parky has lost the dressing room.

The home match against Sheffield Wednesday is surely more significant.

Reid backs Parky

Apparently the Daily Star is reporting that Phil Parkinson has two more games to prove himself at Charlton. Far be it from me to suggest that this was made up by a journo with space to fill.

Meanwhile, Kyel Reid insists that the players are to blame for last Saturday's night. As for Parky, Reidy insists that he is one of the best gaffers he has worked under and all the players love him: Parky

Dons want Addicks in cup

AFC Wimbledon, currently top of the Blue Square Premiership, would like to play Charlton in the FA Cup: Dons

This is not because they see us as a pushover, but because we are perceived as a big club at lower division level, which we are in terms of attendances - although I would question how many fans would want to pay to see us play a non-league side when it could all end in tears.

One fan remarked half jokingly to me on Saturday that we now ought to concentrate on the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. But the away fixture to Southend will not be easy.

I'm not going to write about the 'Parkinson out' campaign at the moment. All I would say is that I expect Parkinson to stay.

I had a bad sporting weekend (leaving aside the Brakes winning away in the FA Trophy) as Coventry Blaze lost 2-5 at home to Cardiff Devils and one Coventry player had to go to hospital after a particularly nasty fight on the rink.

It was interesting, however, to see the reaction to the defeat. No one called for the coach's head. But the coach did give the players a public blasting and made it very clear that they had to sharpen up. One concern about Parky is whether he has a tough enough streak.

Charlton win in the paint pot

Phil Parkinson put out a strong side against MK Dons in the paint drying trophy last night and was rewarded with a 2-1 victory. The major change was the return of Christian Dailly in place of Jon Fortune, but Fortune came on in place of Doherty after the break. Benson was on the bench with Martin starting up front with Abbott.

The franchisees took the lead after just two minutes, Luke Chadwick making use of a cross from Lewis Guy. At half time some moaners stopped listening to the game, declaring it an 'embarrassment'.

Charlton equalised after the break when Luke Howell lost his footing and allowed Kyel Reid to cross for Pawel Abbott who headed home. Those who were there agreed that Abbott had quite a good game but Racon was less impressive although he showed some nice touches.

Reid turned provider again when he found leading scorer Scott Wagstaff unmarked at the post and he knocked it in to give Charlton the victory. This is the fourth game in the row when Reid has created a goal scoring opportunity and emphasises that he should start when fit. He is the most creative midfield player we have now that Bailey and Sam have left, albeit the first of these players was petulant and the second inconsistent (before we get too nostalgic about them).

Phil Parkinson's critics have said that the result does not change their view of him which is fair enough as my assessment would not be affected one way or another by what happens in this competition. They would be more impressed by a win at Plymouth which is far more important.

However, the victory has taken a little of the momentum out of the 'Parkinson must go' campaign which is not going to succeed during the season.